Having retained just a single player – an inconsistent but learning Shweta Sehrawat at that – UP Warriorz made it abundantly clear that it was open to a drastic makeover, provided a change of fortunes came along. Armed with a purse worth Rs. 14.5 crore, the Warriorz had a great run at the mega auction, retaining key players from the squads of the seasons gone by and making smart acquisitions who might add a certain sheen to the attack.

While the franchise has nailied the messaging game with carefully curated celebrity collaborations and on-ground and digital activations, the Capri Sports-owned team looks laser-focussed on the actual prize – a maiden Women’s Premier League crown.

Towards that end, an early coaching change brought in Abhishek Nayar in place of Jon Lewis. In the auction, the Warriorz thinktank bagged three of the five most expensive players in the auction.

How does the squad match up with the field in WPL 2026? We explore.

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STRENGTHS

Warriorz retained its core by holding on to Shweta and exercising RTMs on Deepti Sharma, Sophie Ecclestone, Kiran Navgire and Kranti Gaud.

The squad has been further strengthened by elite overseas experience in Meg Lanning, Phoebe Litchfield, Deandra Dottin and Chloe Tryon, adding leadership, power and versatility. Young prospects such as G. Trisha and Shipra Giri add depth, while Shikha Pandey’s inclusion bolsters the pace attack. A returning Asha Sobhana further enhances an already strong spin group. On paper, this is UP Warriorz’s most well-rounded squad to date.

Lanning was confirmed as the captain of the side, which gives the side the tactical filip it needs in its bid for a first title.

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WEAKNESSES

Despite the upgrades, questions remain. Batting instability hurt the Warriorz last season, with constant changes disrupting rhythm and partnerships. While the personnel now look stronger, clarity around roles at the top and middle order will be critical. Selection balance could also prove tricky given the number of overseas match-winners, while the wicketkeeper-batter slot remains unresolved, with uncapped Shipra the only specialist option.

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PLAYER TO WATCH OUT FOR

Kranti returns as a far more established figure after a breakthrough WPL 2025. Her four-wicket haul on debut against Delhi Capitals marked her arrival, and strong performances soon earned her an international call-up.

Now a regular in India’s setup, the 22-year-old pacer offers early strikes with the new ball through sharp bouncers and accurate yorkers, along with useful lower-order hitting

SQUAD FOR WPL 2026

Shweta Sehrawat, Deepti Sharma, Sophie Ecclestone, Meg Lanning (C), Phoebe Litchfield, Kiran Navgire, Harleen Deol, Kranti Goud, Asha Sobhana, Deandra Dottin, Shikha Pandey, Shipra Giri, Simran Shaikh, Charli Knott, Chloe Tryon, Suman Meena, G. Trisha, Pratika Rawa

Published on Jan 08, 2026